Thank you for those questions.
I'll answer your first question about what Canada can do. In this case, an agency of the UN, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, a fundamental one, has promised to be present in the country. It was present to advise and to help strengthen human rights mechanisms, but then it was told to leave. I have experience in negotiating host government agreements, and if a host government wants to reopen that, then that is a very problematic issue, because it takes many months, if not years, in my own experience, to get a host agreement signed, and normally that is for the long term.
I can speak out of experience why I negotiated such an agreement. The support of member states was very helpful vis-à-vis the host government in saying, and this was in UNHCR's case, “If you want to play as a host government and in your role in the international community you want to be seen as a country respecting human rights and democracy, then you should allow UN agencies a presence, and you should work with them. Don't isolate yourself.” These types of political messages need to continue to be articulated.
I have not been able, before this appearance here, to consult my colleagues at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, but I would encourage you, through your permanent mission in Geneva, where its headquarters are based, to see what the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights would wish from a country like Canada to be supported and to avoid this renegotiation—because that is to be avoided—and to let its staff return and work among the UN community in the country.
Thank you for the other question about the Burundian asylum seekers in Canada. We have had some discussions, but it's maybe too early. If Canada keeps doing the same for the Syrian and Iraqi asylum seekers, and fast-tracks the treatment, then they will have a leaner process of deciding on the claims, but I have to tell you it depends also on the numbers.
I'm not in a position here to share with you the number of Burundian asylum seekers. You can talk with the immigration ministry. If the numbers are not yet that high, then normally the relevant authorities will still use the current systems and procedures, but if the numbers significantly increase, then it could be a response to have leaner, shortened approaches. This is not regularly used. This has been done for the Syrians and Iraqis, but my colleague Michael is more experienced, since he's been working here for many years. It requires a bit of a political discussion on whether this should be done, but I mention it here to keep it as a possibility on the agenda.